Pohanka says – Fall means deer, watch where you steer
Fall is deer season. Hunters on Delmarva dream of antlers on the wall. Motorists have nightmares of deer coming through their windshields. Bambi is cute in cartoons but not in your line of travel when you are going 50 on a backroad late at night. Pohanka of Salisbury offers several pointers for safely navigating deer season.
Be especially alert for deer in the Fall.
Cute as the dickens in the 1942 cartoon, Bambi is a real threat on Delmarva's highways.
Watch for deer crossing signs.
Don’t rely on mechanical devices, such as deer whistles; tests indicate they don’t work.
Maintain a safe speed; don’t overdrive your headlights.
Use your high beams to help visibility, when there’s no oncoming traffic.
Scan the sides of the road to spot deer.
If you see one deer, expect others are nearby. Deer are herd animals and rarely travel alone.
If you see a deer on the road, slow down and blow your horn. Flashing your headlights may confuse the deer.
If deer are on the side of the road, assume they will charge out in front of you, just drive slowly past them.
Don’t try and swerve to avoid hitting a deer. Abruptly turning the vehicle may make you lose control and result in a more severe accident.
Turn on emergency flashers.
Move your vehicle off the road.
Contact the police to report the collision.
Don’t go near the deer unless you’re sure it’s dead, it may become violent if scared or injured.
If the deer is in the roadway, only try to remove it if you’re sure it’s safe.
Pohanka of Salisbury offers sales and service for top automotive brands including Toyota, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Mazda, Scion, Hyundai and pre owned vehicles. Online – PohankaofSalisbury.com
